The interesting thing about drawing is that it requires a lot of what I don't seem to have a lot of right now:

1. Two hands. You only need to draw with one, but the other hand steadies your paper. Something I'd never thought of before I had children.

2. A pencil. Preferably one that doesn't get stolen from the child you are sitting with.

3. Creativity. Well, yes folks. It takes a wandering mind to go places that create magic. The places where I can put feelings onto paper. My mind wanders plenty....but lately it's because I'm drifting off to sleep while making pancakes. Not exactly productive.

4. Time. As much as I like to draw stick figures, I just don't get a thrill out of it. Sketching something doesn't take hours, but it does take longer than 2 minutes...and if I had that in my day I'd take a shower instead:)

But, all that being said, I don't feel human without putting to paper how I feel about my children, childhood and what I see in my head. It's amazing that with all the sleep deprivation right now (yes he's almost 6 months and yes he's still making a zombie out of me!) There are still hints of life in my right brain. It's not where I want it to be, and that's OK because baby making is #1 on my list of my best creations. But I've decided to try and sketch as much as I can. Make myself even. It's like exercise (which I'm lousy at)...it requires blocking out bits of time and making it happen. At least with 4 kids at home.

And with being in the middle of creative deadlines right now, sketching keeps my brain from thinking there isn't anything in there. When you are only getting 4-5 hours of sleep in 2-3 intervals, there really isn't much in there:) It helps me realize that maybe I actually do think about more than just what I'm making (or not making) for dinner.

Hello, I'm Sarah Jane. Author/ Illustrator, textile and product designer for kids. As a mother and artist, I'm on a mission to RAISE WONDER & CURIOSITY in childhood and provide resources for you to do the same.